Timothy Wangusa

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Timothy Wangusa
Timothy Wangusa

Timothy Wangusa (b. 1942) is a Ugandan poet and novelist.

Wangusa is an ethnic Mumasaaba, born in Bugisu, in eastern Uganda. He studied English at Makerere University where he later served on faculty, and the University of Leeds (UK). He wrote his MA and PhD on British and African poetry, respectively.

Wagusa started working at Makerere University in 1969. He was appointed as Professor in 1981 (the first from his Bugisu. In his acceptance speech 'A Wordless World' he looked at how words were starting to lose meaning and there was a continuous shift from words and speech. Later Wangusa served as Head of Department of Literature and Dean of Faculty of Arts. He was also Minister of Education in the Ugandan Government (1985-6) and Member of Parliament (1989-96). Presently, he serves as Senior Presidential Advisor In Museveni's government

His collection of poems Salutations: Poems 1965-1975 (1977), reissued with additional poems as A Pattern of Dust: Selected Poems 1965-1990 (1994), reflects his rural origins. The novel Upon This Mountain (1989) tells the story of Mwambu, who is determined to touch heaven, and describes his journey towards adulthood. The novel combines African folklore and proverbs with Christian symbolism. Its main theme is that of growing up in the Ugandan society and what challenges come with growing up in the traditional setting.

His poetry deals with issues affecting Africa. There has been a shift from the witty Wangusa to a more attacking one. His style still moves the audience to his reading of poetry especially from his latest collection of poetry Africa's New Brood which not only attacks politics in Africa but also the Ugandan situation so far. Wangusa still maintains his brutal satiric attack on government systems. However, there's a belief that it is hard to understand the man in him because he attackes the very system he works for. This probably makes people believe he is a man of ambivalence. Still, Wangusa remains one of Uganda's best known poets, Okot p'Bitek, Okello Oculi still being part of the group.

Wagusa was chairman of Uganda Writers Association and founder president of International PEN Uganda Centre.

[edit] Publications

  • Salutations: Poems 1965-1975 (1977)
  • Upon this mountain (1989)
  • A Pattern of Dust: Selected Poems 1965-1990 (1994)
  • Anthem for Africa (1995)
  • Africa's New Brood (2006)

[edit] References